Rookie Wire’s Cody Taylor released his latest 2022 NBA mock draft recently, which is the fourth version of the installment. Let’s take a look at who Taylor has the Oklahoma City Thunder taking with their three first round picks at the second, 12th and 30th overall picks and their lone second round pick at 34th overall:
(For the full mock that includes all 58 picks, click here.)
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2nd overall: Jabari Smith Jr.
“Smith, who was voted a consensus All-American, averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, two assists, 1.1 steals and one blocked shot on 42% shooting from 3-point range. He set the Auburn single-season freshman record for points (576) and 3-pointers (79). He impressed as a player who can create for himself and shoot from all over the court. He has also shown he can push the break on his own and projects to fit perfectly at the next level.
With the Thunder on the clock at No. 2, fans are already salivating over the potential pick-and-roll duo with Smith and Josh Giddey. The Thunder are certainly stockpiling assets and talent for the future and Smith would be a huge addition to their core. He would give the team another play-making option that can help space the floor. Certainly, two areas of need for Sam Presti & Co.”
12th overall (via Clippers): AJ Griffin
Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
“Griffin proved a great option off the ball for the Blue Devils and emerged as a strong shooter, converting 44.7% from 3-point range. Griffin, who will not turn 19 until August, is one of the youngest players in the draft and is viewed as one of the most physical players with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. Above all else, Griffin will need to show teams in the pre-draft process that he can do more than just shoot, but that is still a really valuable skill at the next level.”
30th overall (via Suns): Patrick Baldwin Jr.
“With three first-round picks, the Thunder could look to take a chance on a player here, and Baldwin would be a good option. He was once viewed as perhaps the top prospect in the class, but injuries slowed him during his lone season in college.
He posted rather underwhelming numbers at the combine, ranking in the bottom five in lane agility (12.25 seconds) and three-quarter sprint (3.45 seconds). He also had the worst max vertical jump (26.5 inches) and second-worst vertical leap (23.5 inches).
However, teams may still feel strongly enough about his overall skills and ability to take a chance on him as a former top prospect. He knows his season didn’t go the way he wanted, but is vying to impress teams in workouts and in interviews.”
34th overall: Leonard Miller
Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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